WHY:
The Month of May is designated as National Bicycle Safety Month.
The Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Division would
like to bring an awareness to bicycle safety in the San Fernando
Valley. Last year in 2014, there were over 560 reported traffic
collisions involving bicyclists including one fatality.

Bicyclists and drivers both make mistakes that can contribute to
collisions, but when a collision does occur it is the cyclist who
is likely to be injured or killed. Everyone should follow the rules
of the road. Bicycles are considered vehicles and must obey all the
same rules as cars. Cars need to share the road with
bicyclists.

The officers of Valley Traffic Division will be patrolling the
streets of the San Fernando Valley to enforce vehicle code
violations that reinforce safe bicycling. Bicyclists and cars will
be subject to enforcement. The goal is to bring awareness to both
motorists and bicyclists to be safe and share the road.

Some safety tips for
bicyclists:

Always ride in the same direction as traffic

Do not ride out into the street suddenly from a driveway,
alley or from between parked cars.

Stop at all red lights and stop signs.

Use proper lighting equipment at night.

Do not ride impaired.

Some safety tips for
motorists:

Do not turn in front of a bicyclist suddenly.

Slow down when overtaking a bicycle and give sufficient
clearance (min. 3ft).

Do not drive in lanes designated for bicycles.

Signal your intentions so others can anticipate what you are
going to do.

Pay attention to the road- do not text or talk on the cell
phone while driving.

Do your part to make every street a safe place to ride a bicycle
and promote safe driving habits. For more information on safe
bicycling tips visit NHTSA.gov/Bicycles or Bicylela.org.